Why Melbourne could be the team to beat in 2021 A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Since 2000, of the 11 teams who went 7-0, only Essendon (2000), Hawthorn (2008) and Geelong (2009) went on to win the premiership.
Teams with a 7-0 record that did not win the flag were Hawthorn (2001), St Kilda (2004 and 2009), West Coast (2005), Geelong (2008 and 2013), Fremantle (2015) and North Melbourne (2016).
But with Melbourne having out-muscled and outplayed Richmond two matches ago to win by 34 points – with the latter arguably the toughest team going around for the last four seasons in terms of its attack on the ball – the Demons sent a message to the other 17 teams by overcoming an early three-goal deficit against the premiers.
I think it is a mistake : Did the Dees go early on Petracca contract?
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2021-05-05T11:24+10:00
Melbourne has officially announced the re-signing of Christian Petracca until the end of the 2029 season – a seven-year extension.
SEN Chief Reporter Sammy Edmund believes the deal is worth more than $1 million per year, making the 2020 All-Australian one of the game’s highest paid players.
Petracca was originally contracted until the end of 2022 and Kane Cornes wonders why the Demons committed to such a long extension when they had another year up their sleeves.
“He’s 25, he’s done a knee previously, and he’s probably put together two very good seasons and it’s Dustin Martin-ish money,” Cornes told
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Christian Petracca has made it clear he wants to be Tigers champion Dustin Martinâs successor as he led Melbourne to a dominant victory over the reigning premiers to stamp the Demons as a genuine premiership contender.
He was the most powerful player on the ground in the second half, while Martin had one of the quietest nights of his career, before being concussed in a marking contest in the third quarter.
Christian Petracca is congratulated by Alex Neal-Bullen after kicking a goal for the Demons in their win over the Tigers.
Credit:Getty Images
The knock means Martin will miss next Friday nightâs huge match against the undefeated Western Bulldogs.